Podcasts are now a big deal in language learning, and it is quite easy to understand why. We develop our basic confidence in the language through listening. If we can understand what people around us say, we start talking to them. At least, this is how it should be.

why podcasts are cool

They are easy to get access to and mostly free (some have paid subscriptions for downloads or additional materials);

They are on mobile, so you can learn new stuff on the go: in the gym, on the bus or underground. Easy!

They are fun to listen: you can choose lessons or just a show about the stuff you like.

They contain current English: no dusty textbooks and old-fashioned English. It's literally English 'from the streets' and you can prepare yourself for any situation or accent.

what is new about 'figure out english'?

Some students often ask me for some addition for their regular classes. They want something they can listen to for 5 minutes every day or every other day. And this got me thinking: Why don’t I create a podcast with set expressions and simple grammar topics which are too small to get a lot of attention in the textbook yet used a lot in speaking?

So, I picked up the things you can’t do without in communication in English: the most mispronounced words, small authentic structures, social formulas (like apologising, asking for help etc.), grammar structures important for speaking, phrasal verbs, and most confused vocabulary. And now I record two short episodes a week and send them to my students and everybody interested for free in a weekly update.

You need to develop and improve English speaking, not compile more knowledge ABOUT English!

'Figure out english' podcast factsheet:

If you are a subscriber, you get each episode to your email with audio download and video episodes;

If you want transcripts and practice exercises, you can join my FREE 'Figure Out English' course. You can download all the lesson materials from there, do listening exercises or quizzes, and even send me a message, and I will comment on your English.

Want to know more about English Learning Podcasts? Subscribe to get a free guide:

how does it work?

Many of you, I am sure, know a lot, but the same you are embarrassed to actually speak English. In the episodes of ‘Figure Out English’, you will get a clear picture of what you need to say in what situation and I try to give you a chance to practise with me!

Last time, I was talking about the fact thatlistening is a very different skill from reading, in particular, that the spoken flow is very different from the written text. First of all, it doesn’t have pauses between the words which we see in the text. However, the speech is also not one continual line of sounds. It is divided into so-called ‘tone units’ (or ‘thought groups’) containing one unit of information. One tone unit sounds like one word (kinda). Inside it, there are no pauses between words and the words are stressed hierarchically, and this is what I am will be talking about today: how words connect together in speaking and how to learn to hear what is said.

This is a new episode of ‘Find Your English Voice’ podcast. Today we are talking about grammar with Matt Purland, an experienced English teacher with over fourteen years of experience teaching English full-time, in the UK and abroad. Matt has written and published 24 books and thousands of printable worksheets for teaching and learning English. His most popular course book is Big Grammar Book, which has been downloaded for free millions of times, and has been the number one most recommended resource on the Guardian Teacher’s Network for many months. You can find out more about him at purlandtraining.com, also follow him on Twitter @purlandtraining.

I have created a small collection of online resources to help you improve your listening skills. Communication starts with understanding. Learners often complain that they feel frustrated if they can’t be sure they can understand people they talk to or videos or films they want to watch.

Also, great listening skills help us develop our vocabulary and general English knowledge. It’s really really important to be a good listener. Can you say you are good at listening?

This post will present you the best advice from English teachers on how to listen and understand English better.

Irregular verbs is one of the few things we need to actually learn by heart in English (there aren’t many, comparing to other languages, believe me). Every time my students look at the long list of them, I can read desperation in their eyes. So, how can we deal with them effectively? We need to find a way to remember them once and for good.

Today I am talking to Jack Askew from www.tofluency.com. Jack was very kind to answer my questions about the concept of fluency and how it works for Intermediate English learners. He has a course which helps achieve fluency in English. If you want to learn more about him, you can download his free ebook or go to his course website.

Teaching a language is people helping people talk to other people.

Derek DeWitt, Akcent IH Prague, Czech Republic

This article was born from a simple idea to keep track on the impressive geography of my online language teachers on italki website. I enjoy learning languages, not just teaching them. Getting access to native speakers and great professionals online have brought a lot of value to my learning.